TCM

TCM

Fast Facts

Was one of the original "Goldwyn Girls," which included Betty Grable and Paulette Goddard.

Formed Desilu Productions with husband Desi Arnaz in 1950 and, with her buyout in 1962, became the first woman to head a major Hollywood studio.

Shaved her eyebrows for her role as a slave girl in 1933's Roman Scandals. They never grew back.

In 1953, Lucy and her newborn son, Desi Arnaz Jr., appeared on the first cover of TV GUIDE magazine; 50 years later, the magazine selected her TV's Greatest Star (Johnny Carson was second).

During the six-year run of I Love Lucy, it never ranked lower than third; it was the first show to be filmed before an audience; and Ball and husband Desi Arnaz pioneered the three-camera production technique that is now standard for sitcoms.

A few years after her 1989 death, the manuscript to her long-lost autobiography was found in a filing cabinet. Love, Lucy, which covered her life into the '60s, was published in 1996.

Awards

1953, Emmy — Best Comedienne: Winner

1954, Emmy — Best Female Star of a Regular Series: Nominee

1963, Emmy — Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series: Nominee

1952, Emmy — Best Comedian or Comedienne: Nominee

1979, Golden Globe — Cecil B. DeMille Award: Winner

1967, Emmy — Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series: Winner

1953, Emmy — Most Outstanding Personality: Nominee

1971, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Nominee

1956, Emmy — Best Actress - Continuing Performance: Winner

1975, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: Nominee

1955, Emmy — Best Actress Starring in a Regular Series: Nominee

1956, Emmy — Best Comedienne: Nominee

1972, Golden Globe — Actress in a Leading Role - Musical or Comedy Series or Television Movie: Nominee

1970, Golden Globe — Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Nominee

1957, Emmy — Best Continuing Performance by a Comedienne in a Series: Nominee

1969, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: Nominee

1968, Golden Globe — Actress in a Television Series: Nominee

1968, Emmy — Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series: Winner

1961, Golden Globe — Actress in a Leading Role - Musical or Comedy: Nominee

1966, Emmy — Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series: Nominee